As a Believer

As a Believer

John 20:25 (NIV)

“…he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” – John 20:25 (NIV)

As a Christian, I have at times found myself saying these words to other Christians, “You have a lot of faith.“ It’s not that I am doubting the power or existence of God, but rather, it’s more like I’m in awe of their confidence that God will work things out in their favour. So then, what is faith? What is the believer’s faith? Do I really have faith? 

According to the Young’s Bible Dictionary, faith is a total submissive trust in Christ, His work, and His message (Genesis 15:6). Consequently, our entire Christian walk is one of faith; faith that our God is good and that He is always there even when we can’t see Him. (The song, Waymaker, has a line that goes as follows “Even when I can’t see it, You’re working, even when I can’t feel it, You’re working, You never stop, You never stop working“). After all, we are saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9); we please God through faith (Hebrews 11:6); and we believe in God’s promises in the Bible through faith. 

What is the reason for this faith? What makes a Christian believe in God for the extraordinary and miraculous? It is knowing that God is Almighty and that God cares for each of us personally (1 Peter 5:6-7). It is the confidence that He is able to handle all our cares, bear all our burdens, large and small and that nothing is too difficult for Him. Further, Hebrews 11:1 is quite clear, “…faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The believer’s faith brings healing for our body, the car or house we need, and the finances or any other help needed at a particular point in our lives. This faith is grounded in believing the Word of God, thus allowing God the opportunity to move and bring about transformation in our lives. 

Brethren remember it is through this same faith that we have access to the goodness and grace of God (Romans 5:2). To answer the question asked at the beginning, I have exercised faith and experienced the goodness of God several times over. Be encouraged and continue to pray, just as the father of the child in Mark 9:24, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.”

Read: Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 2:5

Bible Reading Guide: Psalms 118:17-29; Colossians 4:2-18; Jeremiah 16; Jeremiah 17